Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I share the Deputy's frustration with how long it is taking to sort out this contract. It looks like it will be next year before the contract is signed. Once it is signed, however, it will allow us to become the first country in the world to connect every home and business to fibre, which will be a real achievement. I am frustrated that the contract will not be signed until next year. I should say, separate to that, that the percentage of homes and businesses connected to broadband is increasing all of the time. It was 52% when this Government took office last year, it is about 67% now and will be 77% by the end of next year. That said, those last 500,000 premises need this contract and we will get it signed as soon as possible.

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